Page 21 of Daddy’s Perfect Pair

Someone knocks on the apartment door before we hear it swinging open, and Trey jumps up with a curse.

“Shit,” he mutters, looking at himself and then us. “Uh, my parents are here.” He blushes a little, and I use my finger to beckon him over to me.

Coming to my side of the bed where they have me slightly sectioned off so I’m not jostled, he bends down so we’re face to face.

God, I want to kiss him stupid right now. Will this desire for him ever go away? Probably not, since it hasn’t for Jules.

“Are you upset that they’ll see us?” I ask him, my voice barely above a whisper in case he doesn’t want them knowing we’re here.

He pulls back, looking confused and slightly upset before cupping my cheek in his palm, a stern look on his face.

“I will never be ashamed of the two people who own my heart, Peter. You hear me?” he says, searching my eyes, and I nod.

“I hear you. I just didn’t know,” I whisper, and he sighs, leaning his forehead against mine and looking between Jules and me.

“I haven’t had a chance to tell them about you guys yet. I wanted to, but again, I wanted to do it in person. This week just kind of got away from me,” he says, before we hear a woman holler.

“Trey? Where are you, my baby?”

He winces, blushing as Julie giggles. “I’m in here, Ma!” he hollers back. “I have guests, so be nice!”

“Be nice? Is she mean?” Jules asks, and he shakes his head.

“No, she’s just insane,” he grumbles as an older man and woman walk through the bedroom door, freezing when they take in the three of us.

“Trey Adams! That is not the way you speak about your mother,” she scolds him, and Jules and I both chuckle. I groan and throw my head back onto the pillow.

“It’s about time for your pain meds, buddy,” Trey tells me quietly, and I blush at him being so gentle to me. What must his parents think?

“Can you grab them for me, please?” I ask, flicking my eyes to the older couple as they look between the three of us.

“Are you in pain, sweetie? What happened?” the woman asks, and the older man shakes his head.

“Joann, it’s none of our business,” he tells her kindly, and she scoffs at him, waving her hand like he’s talking crazy.

“Nonsense! They’re here in my baby’s room, that means they’re important to him. It automatically makes them important to me,” she says, coming over to us and standing beside Trey. “Trey, are you going to introduce us?” she asks him, and he rolls his eyes at us, making Jules giggle before he stands up.

“Mom, Dad, this is Julie and Peter.” He waves to us and lets them shake our hands before continuing. “They’re the loves of my life,” he says, and they both look at him.

Smiling, the woman cups Trey’s cheek in a similar way to how he had mine earlier. “Oh, sweetie. We know, and we’re so happy for you.” She pats his cheek, and he narrows his eyes at her.

“Damnit. Lillypad can’t keep a secret worth shit,” he groans, and his dad swats him on the back of the head.

“Don’t talk about our sister like that,” he scolds. “Besides, you had it coming. You know Lilly can’t keep a secret from your mother when she starts asking questions.” He shrugs, and Trey grumbles something under his breath.

“Now, what happened to you, sweetie? What can I do to help you?” she asks me, and I give her a soft smile.

“I just need some of my pain meds and I will be alright. Thank you for asking.”

“Pish posh, you boys are silly creatures.” She looks to Jules and smiles brightly. “And you, my sweet, beautiful girl. How are you?”

Jules blushes at the praise before sitting up straighter. “I’m okay, thank you, Mrs. Adams,” she says politely.

“It’s Joann. That over there, is Frank. Or you can call us Mom and Dad if you like. Landon does.” She smiles brightly at us. “I’m going to go make everyone some dinner,” she states before looking back at me, tilting her head to the side. “You look like that young cop that got shot saving a group of kids last week.” She taps her chin, and Trey groans.

“Ma, come on.” He tries to guide her out of the room, and her eyes go wide.

“Oh my! You are, aren’t you?” Her eyes instantly fill with tears, and she moves over to me, giving me a huge hug around the shoulders, careful not to hurt me. “You’re an amazing human being,” she whispers into my ear, bringing my own tears to the surface.

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